CO₂ Laser Blepharoplasty

The CO₂ laser is the best suited surgical laser for the blepharoplasty procedure because, both cutting and hemostasis is achieved photo-thermally (radiantly).^[1] Below we answer some of the most commonly asked questions about laser blepharoplasty surgery and LightScalpel CO₂ lasers. In addition, we provide some video examples of laser blepharoplasty procedures.

What is a laser blepharoplasty?

A laser blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that uses a laser to assist in the correction of deformities or to improve the aesthetics of the periorbital area (the area that surrounds the eyes).^[2]  In the majority of cases, a laser blepharoplasty is done for cosmetic reasons.^[3] However, blepharoplasties are often deemed medically necessary due to visual impairment in patients’ peripheral site. The surgery results are usually very long lasting.^[3]

Upper-Eyelid laser surgery

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty surgery is done to reduce the appearance of heavy and sagging upper eyelids. Incision(s) and excision(s) are made with the laser to gain access for removal / repositioning of fatty deposits and excess skin and muscle above the eyes. ^[3]

Some indications for a laser upper eyelid blepharoplasty include: extra or sagging upper eyelid skin and protruding fatty tissue that result in either reduced peripheral vision or cosmetic concerns affecting the patient.^[4]

Lower-Eyelid laser surgery

A lower eyelid blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that reduces the puffiness and bags beneath the eyes. Incision(s) and excision(s) are made with the laser to gain access for removal / repositioning of fatty deposits and excess skin and muscle below the eyes. ^[3]

Some indications for a laser lower eyelid blepharoplasty include:  excess wrinkles, baggy lower eyelids, sunken eyes, and lower eyelid asymmetry.^[4]

What are some of the benefits of a CO₂ laser blepharoplasty over a traditional blepharoplasty?

Some of the benefits of CO₂ laser blepharoplasty include:

• Minimized bleeding – As the laser beam vaporizes tissue, it seals small blood vessels. Reduced bleeding makes laser blepharoplasty surgery faster and easier for the surgeon.^[5]
• Reduced risk of scarring – Areas that are touched by the CO₂ laser beam heal with less wound contraction and scarring due to the reduced amount of myofibroblasts formed at the surgical site.^[6]
• Less swelling and discomfort – The CO₂ laser beam seals lymphatics which result in less post-operative swelling and discomfort.^[7]
• Faster recovery time – Reduced trauma, minimized bleeding, less pain and swelling lead to faster initial recovery times.^[8]

What are some advantages LightScalpel CO₂ lasers has over other CO₂ lasers?

Some of the advantages that the LightScalpel laser has over other CO₂ lasers include:

• Improved maneuverability and ergonomics – Most other CO₂ lasers use articulated arms as a delivery system. Articulated arms are a series of jointed metal tubes. LightScalpel’s delivery system uses a flexible fiber. The flexible fiber allows surgeons to freely move and navigate the surgical site with ease.
• Laser handpiece tip to tissue distance – Most articulated arm laser handpieces need to be held 2 to 3 centimeters away from the tissue while in use. LightScalpel laser handpieces only need to be 1 to 3 millimeters away from the target tissue, making laser surgery like using a pen.
• Laser Beam Calibration – LightScalpel offers a proprietary laser beam calibration, so the surgeon is able to always have an accurate measure of the power level coming from the laser system. In contrast articulated arm laser systems do not have the ability to calibrate and overtime the laser beam power will decrease, leading to inaccurate laser power level readings.

Laser blepharoplasty before and after photos

What is recovery like after a LightScalpel laser blepharoplasty?

There is less risk of infection, less swelling, reduced risk of scarring, and patients have reported less postoperative pain and better function (in the first 7 days after surgery) than surgeries performed with scalpels.^[7]

How much does a laser blepharoplasty cost?

The cost of a laser blepharoplasty can vary based on the extent of the surgery you require. Medical insurance plans rarely cover purely cosmetic blepharoplasty procedures. If you are undergoing a functional blepharoplasty your health insurance plan may cover a major portion of the procedure.^[9]

Is a laser blepharoplasty right for me?

Some attributes of a good candidate for laser blepharoplasty surgery include:^[3]

• No preexisting life threatening illnesses or medical conditions that can impair post-surgery healing
• A positive outlook with realistic goals in mind for blepharoplasty laser surgery
• Nonsmoking

Ask your doctor if you are a good candidate for laser blepharoplasty surgery.

Where can I find doctors who use LightScalpel CO₂ Lasers?

If you are looking for local doctors who use LightScalpel CO₂ lasers, visit doctors.lightscalpel.com. On this website, you can search by city or zip-code, and medical specialty.

Laser blepharoplasty surgical videos

Edward M. Zimmerman, MD, the president of the American Board of Laser Surgery, uses his LightScalpel laser to perform upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasties, as well as periocular skin resurfacing after a blepharoplasty procedure.

Upper-Eyelid Laser Blepharoplasty

Lower-Eyelid Laser Blepharoplasty

Freehand Skin Resurfacing After Laser Blepharoplasty

The flexible fiber and lightweight handpiece enables Dr. Zimmerman to perform skin resurfacing freehand.

What are doctors saying about LightScalpel laser blepharoplasties?

Did a quad bleph and vaporized elevated lesions on face. Machine and variable spot size handpiece performed perfectly and air purge dialed down exactly as you showed me. Very cool machine. Definitely an upgrade!

 

It’s the difference between a Chevy Malibu and a Bentley Continental GT…both good, reliable cars, but the Bentley gets you there quicker, more precisely, more comfortably and in Style, Babe!!

Edward Zimmerman, MD
President, American Board of Laser Surgery;
Fellow, American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery;
American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery…
Las Vegas Laser and Lipo

References

1. Vogel A, Venugopalan V. Mechanisms of pulsed laser ablation of biological tissue. Chem Rev. 2003;2(103): 577–644.
2. Wikipedia. Blepharoplasty. Wikipedia.org. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
3. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. What is eyelid surgery?. PlasticSurgery.org. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
4. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty EyeWiki.org. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
5. Koepp WG, Bütow KW, Swart TJ. Thermal coagulation caused by different power settings of CO₂ laser surgery. SADJ. 2002 Aug;57(8):318-22.
6. Zeinoun T1, Nammour S, Dourov N, Aftimos G, Luomanen M. Myofibroblasts in healing laser excision wounds. Lasers Surg Med. 2001;28(1):74-9.
7. Haytac MC, Ozcelik O. Evaluation of patient perceptions after frenectomy operations: a comparison of carbon dioxide laser and scalpel techniques. J Periodontol. 2006;77(11):1815-9.
8. Wilder-Smith P, Arrastia AM, Liaw LH, Berns M. Incision properties and thermal effects of three CO₂ lasers in soft tissue. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 1995 Jun;79(6):685-91.
9. Haddrill M. Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) for a More Youthful Appearance. AllAboutVision.com. Retrieved 2016-12-01.